Planet ISKCON

1975 August 22: "The purpose of sannyasa is that now one has no hindrances for preaching work. The purpose is to increase preaching. So if one takes sannyasa and does not increase preaching, then there is no value."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

1975 August 22: "Do not waste any time, but work always to please Krishna within your heart. He is witnessing everything. He only wants us to constantly remember Him. Is it very difficult?"
Prabhupada Letters :: 1975

Please share your realisations with other devotees from around the world...simply send me an introduction message and I will be happy to make you a member:

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Rasa Rasika dasa

Auspiciousness reigns as we continue with the last of our summer festival programs along the Baltic Sea coast here in Poland. The amount of vacationers is dwindling as people start to return home for work and school, but attendance at our programs remains as high as ever.

Learning through experimentation is important for students to master Science objectives.  Here Upper Elementary students learn about mass, weight, and volume using a scale, spring scale, and graduated cylinder.  They learn how to calculate the volume of an irregular shaped object by use of water displacement.

 

(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 07 July 2014, Serbia, Summer Camp, Caitanya Candramrta Seminar Part 1)

Sri Caitanya-candramrta by Srila Prabodhananda Sarasvati

Chapter 1, Verse 6

“When Lord Gauracandra’s devotees, who are worshiped even by the demigods, drink the wonderfully sweet nectar of bliss of pure love of God that flows from the lotus flower of Lord Gauracandra’s feet, they become completely intoxicated. In that condition they laugh at Lord Brahma and the other demigods, condemn the impersonalists and yogis, and do not consider the great devotees of Lord Visnu who do not worship Lord Gauracandra to be very important. Let us glorify that Lord Gauracandra!”

In India, so many people bow down every day to the demigods. If you go to the city of Benares, the presiding deity of the city is Lord Shiva and on the banks of the Ganga, there are thousands of brahmanas performing different pujas very piously, every day. Many people also join in that worship – practically to worship the devatas, demigods, but such worship will give only temporary benefits. So why would we bother for temporary benefits? What is the point? It will only make it worse.

After the Russian revolution in 1918, so many Russian aristocracies went as refugees to Western Europe. Many of them used to be prominent personalities in the government and used to appear at royal gatherings, wearing opulent uniforms. When they went to Western Europe, somehow or other, most of them got jobs as porters or door-keepers of hotels. All big hotels had Russian refugees who were there, dressed in their uniforms as before. But this time – a lost glory! So, when one has material success, it is worse than not having any success because one will lose it again and then the pain is much greater. Once you have been rich, how can you be happy with ordinary things? Therefore, praying for material benefits is never beneficial.

 

Giriraj Swami read and spoke from Srimad-Bhagvatam 10.2.31 for the morning class on Srila Prabhupada’s Vyasa-puja day.

“In Srila Prabhupada’s initiation letter to me he wrote, ‘I marked it in your person when I was in Boston, and I prayed to Krishna that this good soul may be aware of the importance of Krishna consciousness.’

“The pure devotee prays to Krishna to give mercy to the fortunate conditioned soul. And because Krishna is bhakta-vatsala—affectionate and favorably inclined to His devotees—He fulfills their desires. Within the heart He encourages the candidate—the object of the devotee’s mercy—to appreciate the value of Krishna consciousness and accept the process of devotional service.”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.2.31

ISKCON SALEM (Tamilnadau, India) Celebrated Sri Krishna Janmastami in very very grand level. Arati & Kirtans, Lectures, Bhajans, Sloka recitation by Gurukula Students, Drama, Abhisekam, Book Distribution and Lot's of Prasadam Distribution, These where the Programs from 4.30am - Midnight, and 60 thousand people attended. Read more ›

By the Mercy of Srila Prabhupada & Grace of HH Mahavishnu Swami, ISKCON NEPAL Celebrates 1st Day of Sri Krishna Janmastami as Local Calendar on 17th August 2014, Sunday here in Nepal.... More Than 150,000 People visited our Temple on this Day. Devotees distributed Free Prasadam to all the visitors. On this day there was Avisheka of Sri Sri Radha Govinda Hari and Book Distribution.. There was huge line to take darshan of the deity as well as for prasadam. It was a grand successful program. Read more ›

This Year, ISKCON Bangalore - Seshadripuram, Celebrated a grand Janmashtami Festival! Two of Srila Prabhupada's Disciples, HH Bhakti Madhurya Govinda Goswami Maharaj and HG Tejo Prakash Prabhu graced the Event! Read more ›

The post Jhulan Yatra Gallery appeared first on Mayapur.com.

Toronto, Ontario

Just Yesterday


It was just yesterday that I submitted my yearly written words of appreciation to our guru, Srila Prabhupada, on his birth anniversary.  They are found in the form of a poem just below.  It was today that I trekked along the path that he took in June of ’76 along Taylor Creek, right here in Toronto. 

There are many moods projected about you,
Reflected in pics, so many, not few.
They are diverse colours of a true saint
That are captured by camera or brush with paint.
 
Moods of gravity, solidity, and weight
The serious look that defines the great. 
Moods of lightness, moments of humour,
Of laughter, jokes, and human candour. 
 
My favourite photos are of your smile, 
They inspire and push for the extra mile,
They lure and lock in an eager soul
Who’s on a search for the ultimate goal. 
 
You say, “The face is the index of the mind”.
The exterior can determine the kind. 
Dare I judge the face of your Divine Grace. 
Yet I presume purity rests at that place. 
 
You profile as a master, scholar, or king,
A general, a warrior, the spirit of Narasingh.
Paradoxically, you’ve shown your ability
To portray a servant in all humility.
 
There are images of you in reverent prayer. 
Those are the stills not really so rare –
Images of concern for us as we go
On a hobble or a crawl and move so slow.
 
I like the pics when  you enjoyed the play.
It was in New York at the end of one day.
Krishna eloped with a grand princess,
Rukmini, being the damsel in distress.
 
It was drama that brought you some delight
As actor princes put up a good fight.
Your viewing the play is precious indeed,
An impression that waters the bhakti seed.
 
There are action shots of your teaching and talking –
Action shots of reading and walking.
They are signatures, brands, trademarks –
Images that pull us out of the dark.
 
Grateful are we for those generous poses
That strike the heart like petals of roses.
One frozen moment of your deep contemplation
Leaves us with a piece for worthy conversation.
 
The Source is with you!
 
12 KM

Toronto, Ontario

It Is Custom


It is a custom, with me, anyway, to do this japa chanting walk in the dark after the fasting and feasting of Janmastami.  At 1:45 AM we went.  Churnley, Mohit  and I took to a blackened evening through the trees.  Churnley’s cell phone lit up some of the trail which edges along dry tree areas as well as cat-tailed wetlands in the lower Don River system. 

At one corner, we received some vision power from the moon’s casting, and there we caught a wave of wild flower scent that allowed our minds to travel to the drama we had just enacted before a full house at our temple.  Based on the pages of the book, Bhagavatam, the description of the eve of Krishna’s birth was one of total shanty (peace).  Planets were prominent.  All that was aromatic was present.  All that indicated prosperity, such as rivers full of flowing waters, breezes favourable, and stars apparent, were enhanced.  Whatever I had narrated from the script of “Blue Mystic” was delineating such details, at least in spirit, and was now duplicated in the very atmosphere we were moving through.  What a special day (evening, rather). 

Sleep was evident after a full day of activity and being on an empty stomach.  And now our full bellies were waddling down a trail for a two hour people-less stretch.  I told the two companions before the trek, the rule of this customary walk is “No talking.  Only chant.”  We are honouring our guru, Srila Prabhupada, because as of 12 midnight we celebrate his birthday – that’s festive day number two.  What can you do but continue the joy. 

May the Source be with you!

12 KM

Toronto, Ontario

His Birthday


It’s Krishna’s birthday.  On such occasions you often end up doing something that’s enjoyable.  Along with a dozen community members here, we chose to walk somewhat of an obstacle course just after our morning arati (early morning meditations).

Not all of this group were so highly prepared foot wear wise, because the trek was truly spontaneous for them.  We are also looking at participants that are mostly car bound suburbanites.  They were, however, troopers, excited by our chosen forest setting trail. 

“This trail will remind you of Vrindavan,” I said at the outset, “Krishna’s upbringing turf.”  We then blazed that trail at David Balfour Park, and then the Brickworks where I did my training for long distance walking. 

My pace was slower than usual just to accommodate the crew.  We went down a wiggly trail and let these troopers know that even in the heart of a fair sized city like Toronto, one can derive from it a peaceful greenery. 

Legs were sore (not mine), but smiles were preserved.  “That’s the spirit!”  I told the group.  “Now, we are going to enjoy a packed day of festivities.”  I also reminded them that it’s a full day fast.  Each one of these participants passed the test and had not passed out.  They achieved happy tolerance.  I gave a talk in the evening to a full house on the significance of Janmastami, the birth anniversary of Krishna.  Sitting in front of me was one of the participants, a woman who happened to slip and fall on the moist boardwalk segment of the walk.  She smiled away, though, like anything while I was talking, jubilant like one of Krishna’s peacocks. 

May the Source be with you!

8 KM

A brand new professionally-shot documentary about the construction of ISKCON’s flagship temple, the Temple of the Vedic Planetarium in Mayapur, West Bengal has just been released, as the initial burst of progress settles to a slower yet steady pace.The documentary is the second in a multi-part series focuses on the community behind the ambitious project.

The 10th Annual Festival of the Chariots & Ratha Yatra Parade, an Indian multi-cultural extravaganza, will take place on the beach & at the Seawalk Pavillion, Seawalk Plaza Beach Blvd. & Ocean Front South in Jacksonville Beach from 3:30 to 9 PM.

Vyasa-puja is an annual celebration by devotees of Krishna to offer homage to their guru, or spiritual teacher. Each year, the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust publishes a limited number of copies of a Vyasa-puja book—a collection of homages to Srila Prabhupada from devotees and temples all over the world.

After Sri Balarama Jayanti, Sri Krsna Janmashtami festival & Srila Prabhupada's appearance day were clebrated by Iskcon Munich congregation with a great merry and happiness. More than 200 devotees attended the festival and experienced the transcendental mercy of Sri Sri Radha Gaura Krsna & Sri Sri Gaura Nitai. The program included bhajan/kirtan, lecture about Sri Krsna's pastimes, maha-abhishek, children dance, theatre, quiz competition, swinging ceremony, midnight maha-arati with new outfit darshan & prasadam offering. For Srila Prabhupada's appearance day, our congregation was blessed with two senior disciples of Srila Prabhupada. Both HG Prithu Prabhu and HG Nikhilananda Prabhu are the direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada and shared various pastimes, experiences and realizations with their master Srila Prabhupada. Later pushpanjali was offered with prasadam cooked by Madana Sundari Mji. Everyone worked very hard to present both the festivals with beautiful Lordships, nice decorated altar, tasty prasadam, friendly service & good cooperation. We hope for similar cooperation in near future too. Thank you & Krsna blessings! Read more ›

Kirtan is a sure way to transcend the mundane preoccupations of the mind and enjoy the bliss of Divine.

Please visit TOVP.org and donate to help build The Temple of the Vedic Planetarium.

Ahmed, who is the principal of a municipal school, believes that religion does not teach hatred or rivalry, instead it promotes love and fraternity.

This is the story of two dear friends of mine, two wonderful souls who united together in the presence of their love ones at Bhaktivedanta Manor. The Manor is a beautiful Radha-Krishna temple just north of London and is my of my most favourite, familiar and visited wedding venues. Sita was a wonderful bride from Birmingham whilst Sundar-Madhava travelled from Nottingham to wed his soulmate. However, despite both of them being from the Midlands, because of Sundar-Madhava’s many years spent as a residential monk at this beautiful temple, they chose Bhaktivedanta Manor as their venue for their beautiful wedding ceremony. Read more ›

The post August 21st, 2014 – Darshan appeared first on Mayapur.com.

The Hare Krishna maha-mantra gives liberation and at the same time offers shelter at the lotus feet of Krishna. If one takes shelter at the lotus feet of Krishna after liberation, he develops his dormant ecstatic love for Krishna. That is the highest perfection of life. (Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Antya-lila, 3.257 Purport) Read more ›

“The stories of the Ramayan and the Mahabharat cannot be termed a-historical just because there is not enough archaeological hard evidence."

Sadhana, arcana, and seva.

The post A summary of our The last lecture in the series following the Community services istagosti appeared first on SivaramaSwami.com.

Too much obsession with oneself and with the material world makes people mad. It is not an allegorical statement but it’s a hard core fact. People actually become mad.

13-08-2014 SB 1.9.26 Bhishmadev’s Instructions on Varnashram Dharma, ISKCON Durban, South Africa.mp3

If the surface of the globe is overflooded with the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra, the people of the world will be very, very happy. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, 4.24.10 Purport) Read more ›

O King, by the passing of time, land and other material possessions are purified; by bathing, the body is purified; and by being cleansed, unclean things are purified. By purificatory ceremonies, birth is purified; by austerity, the senses are purified; and by worship and charity offered to the brahmanas, material possessions are purified. By satisfaction, the mind is purified; and by self-realization, or Krishna consciousness, the soul is purified. Read more ›

Sukadeva Gosvami said: Nanda Maharaja was naturally very magnanimous, and when Lord Sri Krishna appeared as his son, he was overwhelmed by jubilation. Therefore, after bathing and purifying himself and dressing himself properly, he invited brahmanas who knew how to recite Vedic mantras. After having these qualified brahmanas recite auspicious Vedic hymns, he arranged to have the Vedic birth ceremony celebrated for his newborn child according to the rules and regulations, and he also arranged for worship of the demigods and forefathers. Read more ›

Woodstock 2014 – Harinam – Indradyumna Swami

New Vrindaban’s Transcendental Throwback Thursday – 08/21/14.

As a variation on a theme, the past few weeks we’ve  focused on the same era.

This week’s challenge: In addition to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, there are four devotees in the photo. At least two are recognizable. Can you identify them?

What to do: Post your guesses on the “who, what, when, where & why” in the comment section at the Brijabasi Spirit Website.

Technical stuff: We share a photo Thursday and confirm known details Sunday. Let’s keep it light and have a bit of fun!

Special request: If you have a photo showing New Vrindaban devotees in action, share it with us and we’ll use it in a future posting.

1967 August 21: "Yesterday on the birthday of Lord Krishna I made him sannyasi and the moment he was being offered sannyasa there was some ceremony of Janmastami in the temple, and hundreds of men and women congratulated the young sannyasi. Somebody remarked he looked like Lord Caitanya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1967

1968 August 21: "There are so many cheap gurus and cheap disciples, without any substantial knowledge, manufacturing new sampradayas, with all service activities stopped, and all spiritual progress choked up. Don't be allured by cheap disciples."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 August 21: "The first thing, I warn you, do not try to initiate. You are not in a proper position now to initiate anyone. Don't be allured by such maya. I am training you all but do not be in a hurry."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1968 August 21: "Last night we celebrated Janmastami festival very gorgeously. Today they will observe Vyasa Puja. Please pray to Krishna that he may give me the necessary strength to discharge the duty entrusted me by my Spiritual Master."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1968

1969 August 21: "I see the acharya shall be entitled to nominate in writing his successive acharya. But we do not find any record where our Srila Prabhupada nominated any acharya after Him. Different persons have interpreted on this point, and now every one of our Godbrothers are acting as acharya."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1969

1970 August 21: "You are now elected as one of the Commissioners of the GBC, so you have got great responsibility. In the disciplic succession of Lord Caitanya, if we simply abide by the order of the Acarya in disciplic succession, then things are made very easy."
Prabhupada Letters :: 1970